Male Impotence

Impotence: Causes

Erectile dysfunction, known commonly as impotence, is defined as the consistent inability to obtain or maintain an erection of sufficient quality for satisfactory sexual intercourse. Impotence is a symptom not a disease, however erectile dysfunction can herald a serious medical problem.

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Although impotence is not a necessary consequence of aging, its incidence increases with age because the condition is often a side effect of other medical problems that come with age, such as vascular disease or diabetes. Recently it has been recognized that women may also experience sexual dysfunction, but problems regarding diagnosis remain, and the field is in its infancy. Only male impotence is addressed here. There are many causes and treatments, and the listings below, organized alphabetically, do not necessarily cover all of them. If you think you suffer from impotence, you should seek medical advice from a primary care physician or a urologist. It is estimated that 30 million men in the United States suffer from impotence, and that 95% of those cases can be treated.

Causes

Chronic tobacco use: Smoking has been shown to affect arterial blood flow and may also affect the arteries in the penis, reducing the blood flow necessary to maintain an erection.

Diabetes: This is one of the most common causes of impotence, because diabetes can cause changes in blood flow through narrowing of the arteries, or damage to nerve endings in the penis.

Hormonal Imbalance: Only a small percentage of cases of impotence are due to hormonal problems, such as insufficient testosterone.

Neurologic Impairment: Injuries to the spinal cord or brain, or neurological diseases, such as Alzheimer's Disease, can lead to impotence. Erectile dysfunction is commonly associated with multiple sclerosis and Parkinson's disease.

Pelvic Surgery: Surgery or radiation to the prostrate, bladder, rectum or colon can cause nerve damage in the surrounding area. The damage may interfere with signals that must pass between the brain and the sexual organs to allow erection and orgasm.

Pelvic Trauma: Injuries caused by accidents, particularly accidents associated with bicycle riding, water sports, gymnastics and horseback riding, can cause impotence.

Prescription Drugs: Many prescription drugs, especially blood pressure or anti-depressant medication, can cause impotence, as well as some over-the-counter medications.

Psychological: Depression, anxiety, problems with self-esteem, anger, fear, and other mental conditions may lead to impotence.

Vascular Disease: Vascular diseases such as hardening of the arteries, or heart disease, can lead to reduced blood flow, thereby impairing the ability of the penis to become sufficiently engorged to maintain an erection.